The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-20
FoREFATHERs' DAY.
Annual Meeting of the Portland Con-
gregationaI Club.

The CONGREGATIONAL Club held, at the freDio
House last evening, its December meeting Wisely
timed for "Forefathers Day." and drew iun
attendance of the regular membership. Many M
vited guests and the ladies, for this was ladies'
meetng,n brought the total number in attend
ance up to fully IT'S, the largest meeting IN the
history of the Club.
This organization, inclined to s0ciality from the
first. never fails of most agreeable social hour al
its ordinary sessions and to make this feature the
more prominent, has Of late increased the number
of ladies' meetings. The parlors of the hotel are
rarely filled with more pleasant company than
that of last evening
Supper was served at O'Clock, the Rev. q. w.
Reynolds Of Gorham invoking the Divine bless
ing. The tables were spread in the main dining
hall, which, though spacious, was completely
filed. The menu and service were worthy oi the
house and the host, whose excellent catering and
considerate attentions have received through the
year the heartiest commendation Of the Club.
At the close Of the banquet President Daniels
called the Club to order for its annual business
session. he reports Of the officers Indicated
year Of marked success, the social literary and
religious, well mixed and balanced, having given
the Club vigorous and enjoyable life, helpful to
our city and to the interests Of Congregationalsm
In the state. The report Of the Treasurer SHOWS
that all expenses are provided for, and there IS
balance in hand for the opening OF the next year.
The chairman of the nominating committee, A.
L. Burbank, Esq, reported the following list Oh
nominees for officer to serve the coming year;
For Presdent-Rey. Charles II. Daniels
For Vice Presldents-ReV. FRANK 1. bayieJ'
Prof. II. L. Chapman.
For SecretaTy-Richard Abbott
For Treasurer-C. s. ID. Grinin, Jr.
For Nominating Committee-Rev. l.. II. Hal
lock, Samuel Thnrston, Rev. s. X. Perkins.
The candidates named were elected by unani-
nous vote of the club. The clerk received ten
new members raising the membership TO over
one hundred. A motion of much interest was
made to the effect that the number OF members IN
the club be limited to one hundred and ten. THIS
motion will be acted upon at the next meeting.
Business ended, the special guest OF the club,
Rev Edmund X. Alden, d. D., secretary Of the
American Board, and lineal descendant OF John
Alden. of Puritan fame, was introduced py tno
president and received with nearly aPeiaase ma o1r mr.
Pilgrim Heritage and Trust" opening. ms aa-
dress with an interesting presentation OF his Gre
dentials," in the way of showing MS own position
AT The fourth degree Of descent from John Alden.
The speaker made the first treasure In our heri-
t2ge as the story OF the Pilgrims. MosL visiu anu
instructive lessons were drawn OF tne leadlng
personages in the eyentful story. Standlsn, cow
er, Alden, Bradford, Mullens, men, women, enii-
dren, wonderful company IN lIse, nd m1 tha S rst
year, but showing noble endurance winch kne"
no going back, not for a step. ,.,... o,,.....ar
The second element Is the Pilgrim character,
with faith at its head; faith as lts great Morking
energy and grouped around II fortltude nrinness'
enterprise. activity, tenderness and an over
whelming sense of duty, no matter now stern lts
demands. A.
The Puritan home is the next grand element, the
center and source OF Pilgrim strength anu a suc -
cess, and that type of home, the only pledge Oh
success strength and safety TO their deScenaantS
The family Bible was the first sgnlncant tning IN
that Pilgrim home. The defence OF the sacfeu-
ness of the home was the next slgnnca. eiees tn s
Then there was the purpose to hammer tne iron
of rough experience into Joy, success and prog
The Puritan church is the next great element IN
our heritage from Plymouth. A enurch; not OF
nonsense and absurdity. but OF soundness' Dreautn
geniality and of pety; full OF power.
The Puritan commonwealth is grand eiement
of the inheritance we have received, tne love OF
country next to the love OF God:
The great place the Pilgrim iaea nas ~. ne,o ast ad
element in our trust from our ancestors 10 pe
true to these grand elements Is our supreme trust
to which, as New Englanders, we are bound 10 DC
loyal in all and always: ,,,,..-.... ,,,,,,,ov
warm and genial, yet quaint and was intensely
attractive by vivid array OF historic Iae, teillis
anecdote and eloquent exhortation TO De true
to the splendid heritage sent down to us.
The high appreciation Of tne cin4 Mas a aPPl0 nSy
priately voiced by the Rev. Arthur Shirley OF New
Gloucester, who in most fitting remarks moved
the thanks Of the club for the able, eloquent anu
most timely address. -
The past year of the club certainly deserves 70
be called brilliant success, htly culminating IN
the remarkable meeting last evening. Inc cruz
enters upon the new year with iiattering pros
poets. ,,, -, -. 80.
sion in January and the next meeting VIII be
held on tue regular date in February.